One question that sparks disagreement among no-tillers is whether there is a difference between the way genetically modified (GMO) and non-GMO corn stalk residue breaks down.
Many conservation practices can maintain and enhance physical, chemical and biological soil properties that contribute to overall soil biological functions as fundamental drivers that support plant growth and productivity.
While residue decomposition is largely controlled by the environment and soil conditions, there are some things no-tillers can do to help speed breakdown along.
While residue decomposition is largely controlled by the environment and soil conditions, there are some things no-tillers can do to help speed breakdown along.
No-till practices alone may not sequester as much organic carbon in soil profiles as previously thought, but seeding cover crops could help rebuild it, says University of Illinois researcher Ken Olson.
No-tillers that follow guidelines can remove some stover from continuous-corn fields and still warm up soils, improve nitrogen efficiency and retain organic matter.
No-tillers growing continuous corn often face a dilemma when residue piles up in their fields after harvest, leaving a mat that can keep soils cold and wet and make planting difficult.
Strip-till and no-till resulted in lower residual soil nitrate buildup than chisel plow in the top 48 inches of the soil profile after 2 years, according to an Iowa State University study.
Current wet soil conditions present challenges to early season fieldwork. Whether it is planting beans or corn, cultivating or rotary hoeing, there is high potential to cause significant soil structure damage.
Source: This article was published by the Des Moines Register
The heavy snowpack covering Iowa's farm fields hides many secrets, including a future this spring that could mean flooding and significant, damaging runoff of Iowa's topsoil and its crucial nutrients.
When selling residue becomes an option, no-tillers will have to consider the residue needed for soil protection and the cost to replace lost nutrients.
Corn residue generates increasing interest as a source of value-added products, most notably ethanol. But before you begin to collect corn stover, it’s important to realize the value of leaving residue for your no-tilled ground. Collecting the stover might offer some no-tillers a great opportunity to pull additional income from their fields; but for others, the value of the residue is greater if it is left on the ground.
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